Lighting fixture



June 14, 193S A. VANDERVELD 2,120,449

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Jan. 11,' 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l June i4, 1938. A. VANDRVELD 2,120,449

LIGHTING FIXTURE lilik,

Filed Jan. 11, 1937 i 2 sheets-sneer 2 Patented June 14, 1.938. v

Anthony Vanderveld, Grand Rapids, Mich., assignor to Grand Rapids Store Equipment Company, Grand Michigan Rapids, Mich., a corporation o! Application January 11, .1937, Serial No. 119,980

80laims.

This invention relates to a lighting xture of the type which is designed to be installed in and above the ceiling of a room, presenting to the room only a surrounding border and a .glass within the border through which the light passes. It is an object and purpose of the present invention to produce a novel'and eillcient structure, and one which can be simply and easily operated for the removal and replacement of electric light bulbs when the same are burned out or for any other reason require changing or replacement.

In devices of this character the glass plate which is carried by the border frame and which lies directly against the underside of the ceiling wall is either bodily removed or is movably mounted so as to uncover the electric light bulb and gain access thereto for its removal. Because of the overhead position it is very desirable that such uncovering and access to the' electric light bulb shall be as easily accomplished as possible, and without danger of marring the ceiling, breaking its flnish and the like. The present invention accomplishes these results by 'novel structure in a very practical manner so that the change of electric lighting bulbs is very quickly,.readily and eiiciently attained with full assurance of no damage to the ceiling.

For an understanding of the structures em,- bodying the invention and the operation of said structures for the attainment of the objects stated, as well as many others not at this time enumerated, reference may be had to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig.- l is a vertical vsection through one form. of

structure embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section similar to the section shown in Fig. 1 and showing the apparatus operated for gaining access to the light bulb for inspection or changing. i

Fig. 3 is a. fragmentary plan view at one corner of the structure shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View partly in section illustrating the apparatus which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a section and perspective of a diierent and inl some respects simpler construction embodying the invention, and

Fig. 6 is a similar section showing the same operated for access to the light bulb.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different iigures of the drawings.

In both forms of structure embodyingvthe invention an open housing member is used, sub- (Cl. 240g-.78)

stantially square i'nl outline, though not necessarily so, having opposed parallel sides I and Ia and other sides 2 and 3, the -ilrst or which, for

purposes of description, may be called the front side and the latter the rear side. This housing is of sheet metal and in use is inserted upwardly in a suitable opening in the ceiling and may, be4 secured in place to any frame structure of the ceiling such as joists or other parts of the ceiling frame structure. The -lower edges of the housing, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, are flush with the lower side of the ceiling. opening and with the lower surface of theA plaster or other finish of the ceiling, as indicated at 4, so that the electric light bulb is disposed above the lower side of the ceiling. Over the housing member a sheet metal" supportingl dome is placed having, as shown in Fig. l, a top 5 and depending vertical sides 6 which may be telescoped over the sides I, Ia, 2 and 3 of the housing member and secured in place, for example, by screws as at l. The light bulb 8 is suspended from the top 5 of the dome, screwing into any suitable socket 9 which is carried directly by the top 5, the lightvbulb being removed by unscrewing the same in the usual manner that electric light lbulbs are yremoved from holding sockets therefor.

A U-shaped member having parallel sides I0 connected by a cross connecting member II is located within the housing member with the sides Ill pivotally mounted between their ends at I2 on the two opposed sides I and Ia and with the connecting memberv II disposed adjacent the front side 2. It is located within the housing member except at those times when the light bulb is to be inspected or changed. At the inner side of the connecting member Il a block I3 is permanently secured having a vertical interiorly threaded opening. therethrough. So far as described the structure is the same in both structural embodiments of the invention shown in all of the drawings. In the form shown .in Figs. 5 and 6 the pivotal movement of this U-shaped member is limited by a stop I4 carried by one of the sides I as shown, so that the forward end of th member and the connecting bar II may be swung upwardly about the pivots I2 only to the vextent shown in Fig. 6, the pin I 4 stopping any further upward movement. A

Between the free ends of the'sides II'I of the U-shaped member an open frame is mounted,

made of sides having vertically extending ilanges I5 and outwardly extending flanges I6`; opposite I5 pivoted/near the ends of the sides l0 of the sides of this frame having their vertical flanges rectangular or square shape, to conform to the general shape of the open frame and housing member, ls welded to the horizontal flanges I6 and passes underneath the lower edges of the sides I, Ia, 2 and 3 of the housing member and also extends inwardly beyond the lower edges of the vertical flanges I5 of the open interior frame carriedby the sides I0 ofthe -shaped member. These inwardly extending portions of the border frame I8 serve as a support for a panel I9 oi glass or equivalent light passing material. Usually the glass is not transparent but is of a translucent character so that the light is softened and diffused when it comes from the light bulb and passes therethrough.

With this structure the horizontal border plate I8 and the frame above it to which it is connected may be swung about the pivots Il and at the same time lthe U-shaped member turned about the pivots I2 to take the position shown in Fig. 6. With such movement the outer edges of the border plate I8 do not engage against the under surface of the ceiling so as to mar or deface it, but are lowered and carried away from the ceiling, and at the same time the glass plate IS carried thereby is swung to a position such that there is free access to the electric light bulb for inspection, removal or changing. To hold the parts in their usual and normal position such as theyl have when they are in use, a screw having a head 20, a short shank 2I which passes through one side of the border plate I8, a collar 22 to hold the screw in place thereon and a screw threaded part 23 is mounted on one side of the border plate I8, as shown in Fig. 5, in a position that it may be threaded upwardly through the block i3 previously described, holding the light passing and diffusing plate i9 in horizontal position, the border plate or frame I8 around it likewise in horizontal position and snugly against the lower r. side of the ceiling; and only these parts oi the structure are exposed to be seen from the room.

When the light bulb is to be changed the screw described is operated to disconnect it from the block I3 and the parts swing to the position shown in Fig. 6. After the bulb has been changed the parts are returned to position and using one hand to screw the screw threaded member 23 through the block I3 and the other to hold the opposed side of the frame I8 in closed position the parts may be very readily returned to and held in the normal position which they occupy such as shown in Fig. 5.

In Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, the structure is modified in certain particulars. The open border plate or frame I8 upon which the light -passing plate I8 is carried does not have any open frame with 'angular frame members having iianges such as I5 and I8 associated therewith. Instead a bracket 24 is connected to one side of the border frame I8 and an angle bar 25 to the adjacent rear side. A link 26 is pivotally connected at one end to the bracket 24and has a pivotal connection at its other end to one end of a second `link 21 which, at its opposite end, is pivotally connected to the side I. A second link 28 is pivoted to the end of the bar 25 and the free end of the adjacent side I8 of the U-shaped member and has a pivotal connection at its opposite end to the linky 21 substantially midway between its ends as shown ln Fig. 2.

With this constructionno. stop I4 is required. Operating the screws to unscrew the thre ded portion 23 from block I 3 releases the parts to ake 2,120,449 U-shaped member at I1. A border frame I8 of the position shown in Fig. 2, and they are' automatically stopped substantially in such position. After the. bulb has been changed it is necessary lmerely to turn the border frame i8 to its upper position, start the screw through the block I3 and as the screw is tightened the entire border frame or plate I8 is brought snugly against the lower edges of the sides I, la, 2 and 3 of the main supporting and rst described open housing member of the structure. One hand only is required for lifting the partsfrom the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 1 and then after the screw has been started through the block I3 one hand only is required to tighten the screw. This latter structure, while having perhaps more parts and being slightly more expensive to manufacture than the other, is in some respects a preferred form because of its even greater ease of operation than that shown in Figs. 5 and 6. But in both forms of structure there is simple and easy operation for access to the light bulbs and complete assurance that no unsightly defacement of the ceiling underneath or around the border frame plate I8 will take place.

The invention is defined in the appended claims and is to be considered comprehensive of all forms oi' structure coming within their scope.

I claim: f

1. In a construction ofthe; class described, a housing having an open lower side, a member of U-shaped form having the sides thereof pivotally connected between their ends to the sides of said housing, said member being located within the housing and with'its lower edges substantially iiush with the lower edges of the sides of the housing in one position thereof, an open frame of fiat metal pivotally connected adjacent one of its sides to the "free end portions of the sides of said U-shaped member, a light passing plate located upon said open frame at its upper side and covering the opening therein, and detachable means for connecting said U-shaped member with said open frame whereby said open frame may be moved to a horizontal position at and in close engagement with the lower end of the housing, or may be swung and simultaneously lowered to an open position, as specified.

2. A construction containing the elements in combination deiined in claim 1, said releasable connecting means between the open frame and the U-shaped member comprising, a manually operable element carried by the open frame at the sidethereof opposite the side having a plvotal connection to the sides of the U-shaped lframe, and a means on the U-shaped frame between the sides thereof with which said manually operable member may be connected and disconnected.

3. A construction containing the elements in combination defined :in claim 1 wherein said means. for releasably connecting the U-shaped member and said open frame comprises, a block having a vertically threaded openingtherethrough secured to the U-shaped member and a rotatably mounted screw carried by the open frame for threading through said block, the lower end of said screw having a manually engageable head for turning the same.

4. A lighting nxture comprising, a housing having an open lower side, an open frame adapted to be positioned at the lower open side of the housing and against the lower edges o f t sides thereof, bars pivotally mounted betwee. their ends within said housing and upon opposed sides thereof, means pivotally connecting said bars at one end to said open frame, means for releasably connecting said open frame to said bars, said means being carried by the open frame at the side thereof opposite the side which is pivotally connected to said bars, and a plate of light passing material located at the upper side of said fiat open 'frame and over the opening therein, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

5. A lighting xture comprising, a housing having an open lower side, an open frame adapted to be positioned horizontally at the lower side of the housing and against the lower edges of' the sides thereof, bars pivotally mounted between their ends within said housing and upon opposed sides thereof, said bars at their lower edges being substantially ush with the lower edges of the sides of the housing upon which they are mounted when said bars are horizontally positioned, a bar permanently secured at the upper side ofone side of said open frame, pivotal connections between one end of said rst mentioned bars and said last named bar, means for releasably connecting the open frame to said rst bars at the side of the frame opposite its pivotal connection to said bars, and a plate of light passing material located at the upper side of and covering the opening in said at open frame.

6. A construction containing the elements in combination defined in claim 5, combined with a bracket secured at the upper side of said open frame adjacent one end of the bar secured to said open frame, a link pivotally mounted at one end on a pivot which connects said first 'and second bars, a second link pivotally connected at lone end to said bracket, and a third link pivotally connected at one end tothe adjacent side of the open frame at a point above said first mentioned bars, said rst link having pivotal connection to the third link between its ends and said second link having a pivotal connection -at its other end to the other end of the third link, as and for the purposes specified.

7. A lighting xture comprising a casing having an openlower side, a closure for said open lower side, a bar pivoted between its ends to said casing and pivotally connected at one of its en'ds to the closure and a contractible, disconnectible connection between said closure and the end of the bar opposite to that end which is pivotally connected to the closure. y

8. A lighting fixture comprising a casing having an open lower side, a closure for said open lower side, a U-shaped bar pivoted between its ends to said casing and pivotally connected at one of its ends to the closure and a contractible, disconnectible connection between said closure and the end of the bar opposite to that end which is pivotally connected to the closure.

ANTHONY VANDERVELD. 

